Supporting Community Food Self-Sufficiency, Polindes Becomes the Frontline of Aquaponics Development

Tuban, August 29, 2025 – Public health issues are closely linked to adequate food intake and balanced nutrition. Village Health Clinics, known as Polindes, which have long played a crucial role in providing access to community healthcare services with the support of various stakeholders, can be further empowered—not only as healthcare providers, which remain their main function, but also as contributors to community food self-sufficiency programs.

Building on this idea, PRPP, supported by PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional, in collaboration with Polindes Kartika of Wadung Village, Jenu Subdistrict, initiated a program for food source development through aquaponics-based farming and fisheries.

The handover of aquaponics equipment was carried out on Thursday (28/08/2025) alongside the implementation of a community health education program titled Cantik Di Hati (Cara PRPP Ikut Mengembangkan Masyarakat Sehat Sejati / PRPP’s Way of Supporting Truly Healthy Communities) at the Wadung Village Hall, Jenu Subdistrict, Tuban Regency.

Yuli Witantra, Sr. CSR Officer of PRPP, stated during the event that the GRR Tuban Project is committed to supporting the development of communities around the project area in all aspects, including public health development.

“Alhamdulillah, continuing from last year’s initiatives, we are once again organizing the Cantik Di Hati program. Although the stunting prevalence rate in Tuban has declined, we firmly believe that community health programs must be implemented continuously. Therefore, with the resources we have, we remain committed to supporting these efforts,” Yuli said.

Yuli also emphasized that Polindes holds a strategic position in educating communities about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including the provision of nutritious food for families. Furthermore, Polindes can play a vital role in enabling communities to independently access and provide healthy food.

Muhammad Syaifudin Zuhri, Head of the Community and Village Empowerment Section of Jenu Subdistrict, representing the Jenu Subdistrict Government at the event, appreciated the GRR Tuban Project’s initiative, which he viewed as aligned with Jenu’s programs to actively contribute to reducing the stunting prevalence rate in Tuban Regency.

“This is a collective responsibility, not only for village and subdistrict governments and residents, but for all elements involved in addressing stunting. Stunting is a priority program from the central government down to the local level,” Syaifudin stated in his remarks.

He also highlighted the importance of corporate involvement in public health education programs like this, which communities should leverage as part of collective efforts to improve public health.

In addition to the handover of aquaponics equipment, the event also featured community health outreach and education sessions. Jenu Public Health Center delivered materials on food hygiene, while Kampoeng Tani Tuban provided training on aquaponics-based farming and fisheries. Aside from Wadung Village, this program was also carried out in Sumurgeneng Village, attended by more than 70 Posyandu (integrated health post) cadres and members of the Family Welfare Movement (TP PKK) from both villages.

Gihanto, Head of Sumurgeneng Village, separately expressed his appreciation for the CSR program organized by PRPP, which he regarded as a consistent demonstration of the company’s care. He also expressed his hope that such programs would continue to be carried out by PRPP in his village in the future.

The Cantik Di Hati community health education program is a continuation of similar activities conducted in 2024. In addition to supporting the second pillar of Asta Cita related to food self-sufficiency, this initiative also represents part of the GRR Tuban Project’s commitment to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2: Zero Hunger and Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being.